Atmospheric river to flow through Sacramento area. How much rain will we get?
An atmospheric river-fueled storm will sweep the Sacramento area, bringing rain showers and possible flooding, according to the National Weather Service.
“We’re having an atmospheric river system coming through the area this week,” Sara Purdue, National Weather Service meteorologist, told The Sacramento Bee on Monday, Nov. 18.
The storm could have “pretty significant impacts” on parts of Northern California, Purdue said.
On Monday, the weather service issued a flood watch for the northern and central Sacramento Valley, including the cities of Chico, Paradise, Redding and Red Bluff.
“Excessive runoff may result in sharp rises of rivers, creeks and streams, and ponding of water on roadways and other low-lying locations,” the weather service said in the flood watch.
What is an atmospheric river?
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, atmospheric rivers are streams in the atmosphere that carry water vapors outside of the tropics.
They’re sometimes referred to as “rivers in the sky.”
What’s in the weather forecast for Sacramento?
Monday was expected to be sunny in Sacramento with a high temperature near 58 degrees, according to the National Weather Service’s latest forecast.
The temperature will drop to 34 degrees overnight, the weather agency said, with areas of frost after 2 a.m. Tuesday.
Tuesday will get off to a chilly start with frost before 9 a.m.
Otherwise, the day will be mostly sunny with a high near 56 and a low around 48.
When will rain showers start?
There’s a 20% chance of showers after 10 p.m. Tuesday, the weather service said in its forecast, with “precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.”
Showers are likely on Wednesday, when the chance of precipitation is 70% during the day and 80% at night.
The high will be near 56, and the low will be around 49. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Sacramento can expect more showers on Thursday, mainly before 10 a.m.
Thursday will see a high near 62 during the day, when there’s a 70% chance of precipitation, and a low around 47 overnight.
Friday is forecast to be mostly cloudy, with a high near 62 and a low around 48.
Showers are likely on Saturday and Sunday, which will see highs in the high 50s or low 60s and lows in the high 40s.
How much rainfall will we get?
Purdue said there will be “two rounds” of rainfall in the Sacramento area.
The Sacramento area has a 60% to 80% chance of seeing an inch of rain or more from Tuesday night into Friday morning, she said.
In contrast, areas north of Interstate 80 have an 80% to 100% chance of receiving 1 to 2 inches of rainfall, according to Purdue.
“Places like Redding and Red Bluff are definitely going to see more than an inch,” Purdue said.
“Over the weekend, there will be a second wave as the storm system moves through California,” Purdue said. “There’s a 60 to 70% chance for another inch of rain on Saturday.”
What’s next for Northern California?
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center, there are equal to slightly above normal chances for above-normal temperatures from Monday, Nov. 25, through Sunday, Dec. 1.
“Precipitation is leaning toward above normal for this time of year,” Purdue said.
This story was originally published November 18, 2024 at 12:49 PM.
